SUPPORT GSPS |
The Gold, Silver, Precious Stones team appreciates your contributions in support of this work. Please send your correspondence to:
Gold, Silver, Precious Stones
P.O. Box 240
Harvest, AL 35749
|
|
|
|
in The Primitive Baptist (1842)
DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN, who are scattered abroad throughout the wide world, and are spurned at by all your enemies, yet preserved of the Lord and blest with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, that we might glorify him in all godly conversation in this present world; being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and
abideth for ever. And without this change, or birth, it is impossible for the creature to glorify God either in word, thought, or deed. But believing all the family of Zion are of this parentage and of the same royal line, heirs of the same King, and were all in days past children of wrath even as others, but are now called of God according to his purpose, made heirs of eternal glory and joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ; and have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Brethren, you know this change is not a mere notion, for without a pain there can be no birth. But where there is a false conception there is a false deliverance; there is brought forth nothing but wind, a few snubs and tears shed, and run up and fall down at the feet of him that is called a preacher, and him to repeat a few words of memorized prayer, is not this birth. But, brethren, these pains are brought on by the candle of the grace of God shining in the dark room of the heart, and quickening the dead soul; and the nearer the time of deliverance, the greater the agony and more severe the pain, yet they have it to bear until the time of deliverance comes. And when the babe is born in Zion, then clothe it with the best robe, and shoes put on its feet, and a ring on its hand; and it is not to be led into error, but into all truth. And now, brethren and sisters, does the child that is not yet born after ordinary generation, know anything of the affairs and laws and management, neither is acquainted with the light in this world? No more does the soul, until born of the Spirit, know anything of this spiritual kingdom. For that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. So, brethren, we need not wonder at carnal professors altering the laws, rules, and customs of this spiritual kingdom, and crying, lo here, and lo there, is Christ; believe them not, because the carnal mind is enmity against God. |
|
